I was in work the other day and the teacher asked me to play Pharrell Williams - Happy on YouTube for when the kids came in to class as they have a dance-athon on a Friday. This guys and gals is something I am all for. I click play on the video and I'm bopping along with the kids, probably more than they were and it really set me up for the morning ahead. They say it's the little things that make you happy - and that's how it should be.
Happiness should be everybody's number one priority. Whatever you consider to be your own personal happiness, you should always strive for, despite the circumstances. However, that is definitely easier said than done.
I try to be a happy, bubbly, sassy person. It takes a lot of hard work for me to be happy considering the life I lead, the problem I have is that even the littlest issue can unsettle my day, but I shouldn't rely on someone or something to make me happy, I should draw happiness from within myself.
During my childhood, things like the new Sims 2 game being released or learning a new Steps dance routine made me happy. In my teens, getting home from school after a long day of learning or buying a chicken burger from the van for £1 during lunch break (or during a lesson I truanted) put a smile on my face. During my college days, getting a good grade on my assignment and looking at the newest items in on New Look's website during library session were joyous times. Nowadays, it's Liverpool winning a match, getting good lung function results and writing fill me with content. So contrasting but true.
When I am happy, I feel just amazing. I feel like I can conquer the world, resolve any problems that are put in front of me and I feel highly motivated to do anything and everything. Well, not literally everything, but you know what I mean. I feel more productive in regards to my writing, my health is given a much needed boost, I feel happiness has a profound impact on my exercise routine,
It's so fascinating to see how happiness is seen by different individuals, how many different things make them happy, how another individual's happiness is so contrasting from your own. I should have looked at this in more detail in my Sociology lesson (one of the lessons I truanted with my bestie) when I was in school rather than doing my thesis on who does the most housework - men or women? Another post for another day.
Happiness is contagious, if you're happy, it's more than likely that you will make the next person happy by radiating those feel good vibes to them. It's that simple.
As it's the International Day of Happiness, get your feel good playlist on and just get on with your day with a cheesy smile on your face.
Happiness should be everybody's number one priority. Whatever you consider to be your own personal happiness, you should always strive for, despite the circumstances. However, that is definitely easier said than done.
I try to be a happy, bubbly, sassy person. It takes a lot of hard work for me to be happy considering the life I lead, the problem I have is that even the littlest issue can unsettle my day, but I shouldn't rely on someone or something to make me happy, I should draw happiness from within myself.
During my childhood, things like the new Sims 2 game being released or learning a new Steps dance routine made me happy. In my teens, getting home from school after a long day of learning or buying a chicken burger from the van for £1 during lunch break (or during a lesson I truanted) put a smile on my face. During my college days, getting a good grade on my assignment and looking at the newest items in on New Look's website during library session were joyous times. Nowadays, it's Liverpool winning a match, getting good lung function results and writing fill me with content. So contrasting but true.
When I am happy, I feel just amazing. I feel like I can conquer the world, resolve any problems that are put in front of me and I feel highly motivated to do anything and everything. Well, not literally everything, but you know what I mean. I feel more productive in regards to my writing, my health is given a much needed boost, I feel happiness has a profound impact on my exercise routine,
It's so fascinating to see how happiness is seen by different individuals, how many different things make them happy, how another individual's happiness is so contrasting from your own. I should have looked at this in more detail in my Sociology lesson (one of the lessons I truanted with my bestie) when I was in school rather than doing my thesis on who does the most housework - men or women? Another post for another day.
Happiness is contagious, if you're happy, it's more than likely that you will make the next person happy by radiating those feel good vibes to them. It's that simple.
As it's the International Day of Happiness, get your feel good playlist on and just get on with your day with a cheesy smile on your face.
How do you prioritise your happiness? Let me know!
Lucy
3 comments
This is usually my response when someone asks me if I'm ok or just look withdrawn. I can imagine that's our main response when we don't feel ourselves, given how busy our lives are, it's not surprising that we're feeling the strain of tiredness. Some days I need matchsticks to hold up my eyelids and about a quarter of a tube of concealer to cover my darkened eyes.
I love sleep like the next person. Sometimes I'm an early riser, especially when I have to go to work, the 6am alarm is a killer. I feel like chucking my phone across the room when the alarm goes off! On the weekends however, I'm like a hedgehog and will sleep for as long as I can! I'm a complete lazy bugger on Saturday and Sunday, well, I've got to make the most of my sleeping time haven't I?!
CF has it's part to play with my tiredness, taking about 20 different medications, doing physiotherapy twice a day and exercising for an hour a day, wouldn't you be knackered as well?!
As it's World Sleep Day today, I thought it would be an ideal post to offer some tips on how to overcome the tiredness that creeps upon us everyday:
Nightshirt // Boux Avenue
I love sleep like the next person. Sometimes I'm an early riser, especially when I have to go to work, the 6am alarm is a killer. I feel like chucking my phone across the room when the alarm goes off! On the weekends however, I'm like a hedgehog and will sleep for as long as I can! I'm a complete lazy bugger on Saturday and Sunday, well, I've got to make the most of my sleeping time haven't I?!
CF has it's part to play with my tiredness, taking about 20 different medications, doing physiotherapy twice a day and exercising for an hour a day, wouldn't you be knackered as well?!
As it's World Sleep Day today, I thought it would be an ideal post to offer some tips on how to overcome the tiredness that creeps upon us everyday:
EAT OFTEN
So apparently eating regularly can improve your sleep. Hmm, this one took me a little while to figure out why, but I kind of get it now. Rather than eating a huge meal less often throughout the day, if you eat regular meals along with healthy snacks every 3-4 hours, then it can give you lots of energy to get your through the day. Eating every 3-4 hours is always going to sound good though isn't it?!
KEEP ON MOVING
Even though exercising will be the last thing on your mind when you are feeling absolutely shattered and you feel like you can sleep for 4 days, however, exercising can really boost your energy levels, making feel less tired over the day. I love exercising anyway and when I don't feel like sweating my tits off on the treadmill, sometimes a good workout can really wake me up and feel more motivated to do things!
SLEEP WELL
Ok, don't give me that look, hear me out a minute. Getting enough sleep at night will (obviously) give you enough energy for the next day. A couple of ways to help get a good night's sleep at night is to have a bedtime routine and also winding down before going to bed. Maybe a Lush bath bomb bath and a good book should do the trick, well, it does for me anyway.
KEEP HYDRATED
One fact I have learnt from going to about 547 hospital appointments in my lifetime (an estimated guess, I'm not keeping count I swear!) is keeping hydrated can have so many health benefits, one of which is to help tiredness. It's good to drink plenty of water after exercising, as you're replacing the energy cells that disappear after pounding on the treadmill or going on a several mile run.
What are your tips and advice on overcoming tiredness?
Lucy
*This post contains affiliate links, to find out more about this, read my disclaimer.
Let me ask you this, you're willing to go through the sheer pain of waxing your bikini line which, let's be honest, stings like a bitch, but you can't spare two minutes for a test that could potentially save your life? Hmm, let's get some waxed vag perspective here.
About two months ago, I had my first ever smear test. I won't lie to you, I'd been putting it off for God knows how long, I always came up with the same excuses "I'll be fine" or "It's too embarrassing, I don't want a nurse seeing my bits!"
Come on, admit it girls, you've all used one of these lame excuses one time or another. And yes, I did say lame, because it's true, they are feeble excuses.
However, when I had a diabetic review with the GP nurse, she noticed on my records that I hadn't booked myself in for a smear test (head down in shame moment) and I reluctantly agreed to book an appointment there and then with her to have it done in a few weeks time.
Test day finally arrived, as I walked into the germ-fest that is my doctor's surgery, I felt incredibly apprehensive and slightly embarrassed for two reasons:
If you would like to know more information about cervical screenings and/or you have any worries or concerns, or even if you're trying to justify to yourself why you should have it done, follow this link for more info:
About two months ago, I had my first ever smear test. I won't lie to you, I'd been putting it off for God knows how long, I always came up with the same excuses "I'll be fine" or "It's too embarrassing, I don't want a nurse seeing my bits!"
Come on, admit it girls, you've all used one of these lame excuses one time or another. And yes, I did say lame, because it's true, they are feeble excuses.
However, when I had a diabetic review with the GP nurse, she noticed on my records that I hadn't booked myself in for a smear test (head down in shame moment) and I reluctantly agreed to book an appointment there and then with her to have it done in a few weeks time.
Test day finally arrived, as I walked into the germ-fest that is my doctor's surgery, I felt incredibly apprehensive and slightly embarrassed for two reasons:
1) I didn't want to show my vagina to someone who barely knew me!
2) I knew I should have made the appointment sooner.
Let me take you through my test for those who haven't had it done before.
I went into the examination room, sit down and I get asked if I'm pregnant (FYI to you readers - no I'm not!) she then tells me to go behind the curtain and strip from the waist down (obvs) and cover my lower end with a paper towel. So you can kind of relax at this point, your modesty is covered.
Then it's ankles together, knees apart.
The nurse will use a speculum to open up your cervix (it's not as bad as it sounds) then she will take a sample from there using a small brush. Then voila - it's done. The nurse will remove the speculum from your vagina. It was now time to put my knees back together and put my underwear back on. I leave there feeling proud that I have ignored all the horror stories that I heard from others. The screening was just 2-3 minutes out of my day, that's barely 1%.
One way I could describe the smear test is uncomfortable. It is an uneasy feeling having a medical instrument shoved up your vagina. It can be more uncomfortable for others, which is ok, the nurse will be reassuring (like mine was) and will stop if you feel it's getting too much, something I almost did but I persevered.
So do one thing today girls, get your GP receptionist on the phone and book yourself in for a test, give yourself that peace of mind like I did. And please - do not listen to the horror stories that get spread around about smear tests, it's better to have that peace of mind than have a mind filled with regret. Also think of it this way, the nurse who is doing your smear has seen dozens of vagina's (I've used this word too many times now) before now doing other smear tests, this is nothing out of the ordinary for them and please don't use the embarrassment excuse to not book a cervical screening - JUST DO IT!
Do the #SmearForSmear selfie to raise awareness of why it's important for women to have the test done.
Do the #SmearForSmear selfie to raise awareness of why it's important for women to have the test done.
If you would like to know more information about cervical screenings and/or you have any worries or concerns, or even if you're trying to justify to yourself why you should have it done, follow this link for more info:
If you have experienced the smear test, please give any tips for anybody struggling to make their appointment or are scared of going to their test, you may be able to help someone.
Lucy
"Who run the world?! - GIRLS"
I can imagine this Queen B song will be played across radios and quoted by a lot of women in their tweets today. It's International Women's Day and it's a day to celebrate women alike. I'm sure a few blogger's are going to be writing similar posts to this one today, but there are women who inspire me and they just need a shoutout! Here are the women that inspire me:
MY MAM
Without a doubt the most inspiring women in my life. What can I say, this woman is bloody incredible! She has brought me up with true values and principles which have carried me through my life so far. She taught me to find that inner strength I didn't realise I had, she's made me laugh through the tough times with her (sometimes crappy) jokes and is the one person I can count on for anything. It's also because of her that I support Liverpool Football Club. That's the biggest inspiration she could have ever have given me - and the best.
MY GIRLS
Yas, my besties are just fabulous. I don't know where I would be without them. From listening to my ever-growing problems to drinking cocktails until we can barely walk. My friends have given me the most amazing memories, some I will truly never forget. Whether I've known them just two years (my Scwelsh Sam and fellow Danny Ings fan-girl Katie), met them through college seven years ago (Gabby), met them through my illness (hiya Tash!) , went to Melwood with them (Saffron) , met them through my tiring childcare job (Lucy no.2) or they've been by my side for 22 LONG years (yes Woodruff, I mean you!) thank you for being my inspirations. You're my sweethearts and I love yas to bits.
MY COLLEGE TUTORS
I'm not sure if my old college friends would agree with me on this one, but hear me out. When I first started college, I thought that there was no way I could ever pass the two courses I took in my three years there. I'm not the brightest star in the sky and I think I literally have no common sense. However, the guidance that my college tutors gave me and inspiring me to keep going when I wanted to give up is something I'll always be grateful to them for. I've always said that college made me the person I am today; it's down to them.
BLOGGING FRIENDS
I've said it once and I'll say it again, all my blogger friends are wonderful. They inspire me to keep writing when I just feel like my content is s**t and just want to stop writing altogether. One girl I want to mention in particular is Julia. What an absolute beaut of a girl she is! I never would have known that when we started responding to each other's tweets that we would become good friends a couple of years later, drinking rose overlooking Albert Dock (we're due a catch up soon, love!). She is doing such amazing things, from working full time alongside her new business, she is an inspiration to me.
MEGHAN MARKLE
This woman is just a fantastic role model for feminism. Plus she's married to Prince Harry. She's one lucky woman. I love how she has continued to fight for feminism whilst she's married in the Royal Family, it's just incredible. I need to say that the Queen is definitely another inspiration to us all, well, she's the most powerful woman in the world, how could she not be an inspiration to us?
Who are the women that inspire you?
Lucy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)